BTW, shot blocking is a tremendous defensive strategy. Goalies can see like 20 less shots a game b/c of shot blockers. There’s no way that one should be taken away.

]]>By: TheDevilhttp://hockeytraderumors.com/blues-questioning-goaltending-nhl-decreasing-salaries-by-terminating-stats/comment-page-1/#comment-11492
Wed, 25 Sep 2002 12:13:49 +0000http://localhost/wordpress24/?p=3842#comment-11492Shots blocked and hits are both stats that can deceive someone when analyzing a good defenceman.

Take Nick Lidstrom: the best D in the league, playing almost every game of every season, never getting injured, and being the most effective player on the ice. He rarely hits, and is not really known for his shot blocking capability. But still, nobody denies his status as the best D in the NHL.

Shots blocked and hits only show that you are a player willing to take punishment to stay in the NHL, shows heart and courage, but not skills. Let’s remember that usually, big hitters are often caught out of position, and that shot blockers usually do it to compensate their lack of quality in other aspects of the game.

My point: shots are supposed to be blocked by the GOALIES. A player getting a high salary just because he is not afraid of the puck hitting his ass is something I just can’t understand…

]]>By: Glenhttp://hockeytraderumors.com/blues-questioning-goaltending-nhl-decreasing-salaries-by-terminating-stats/comment-page-1/#comment-11491
Tue, 24 Sep 2002 18:40:56 +0000http://localhost/wordpress24/?p=3842#comment-11491Unfortunately this only takes money away from the scrappy defensemen who make the game fun to watch. Shot by each individual player could go. Who cares how many shots you have, fans and coaches want results.
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